US4064416A - Starting and operating device for a high pressure discharge lamp - Google Patents

Starting and operating device for a high pressure discharge lamp Download PDF

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Publication number
US4064416A
US4064416A US05/676,448 US67644876A US4064416A US 4064416 A US4064416 A US 4064416A US 67644876 A US67644876 A US 67644876A US 4064416 A US4064416 A US 4064416A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
starting
high pressure
operating device
discharge lamp
electrode
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Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US05/676,448
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English (en)
Inventor
Horst Krense
Alexander Dobrusskin
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Osram GmbH
Original Assignee
Patent Treuhand Gesellschaft fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/16—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by dc or by low-frequency ac, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec ac, or with network frequencies
    • H05B41/18—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by dc or by low-frequency ac, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec ac, or with network frequencies having a starting switch
    • H05B41/19—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by dc or by low-frequency ac, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec ac, or with network frequencies having a starting switch for lamps having an auxiliary starting electrode

Definitions

  • German Pat. No. 1,217,496 therefore discloses the insertion of a thermal switch which in normal operation of the lamp provides conductive connection of the starting electrode with the adjoining main electrode. During this, the starting electrode may either remain connected with the remote main electrode through a high-ohmic starting resistance, or it may be disconnected from the main electrode.
  • the phenomenon of electrolysis, frequently occurring in high pressure discharge lamps with metal halide additives, which otherwise might result in damage to the seals of both the starting electrode and the adjoining main electrode and, consequently, in a destruction of the discharge vessel itself is also eliminated.
  • the starting and operating device in accordance with this invention includes an inductance in the ignition circuit for a high pressure discharge lamp, especially for a high pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp with metal halide additive and at least one starting electrode positioned near one of the main electrodes within the discharge vessel.
  • the starting electrode and the main electrode remote from the starting electrode are bridged by a first electric bridge circuit externally of the discharge vessel (bridge circuit I) which comprises a current-interrupting and/or current-limiting electrical component and is characterized in that the starting electrode as well as the adjoining main electrode are interconnected by a second electric bridge circuit externally of the discharge vessel (bridge circuit II) which includes a switching element by which said circuit for ignition of the lamp is repeatedly closed and interrupted in alternation and remains closed during operation of the lamp.
  • a glow switch proved particularly suited as the switching element in bridge circuit II.
  • the glow switch is preferably designed such that its bimetal electrodes are closed when the ambient temperature exceeds 200° C.
  • the glow switch housing is positioned so close to the discharge vessel of the lamp, within the outer envelope, that subsequent to ignition of the lamp the heat reflected off the discharge vessel causes the bimetal electrodes of the glow switch to remain closed during operation of the lamp and thus the starting electrode is conductively connected with the adjoining main electrode.
  • glow switch there may be employed other suitable switching elements of similar operating charateristic.
  • suitable switching elements of similar operating charateristic.
  • spark gaps for example, it is possible to use, in combination with other electrical components, spark gaps, magnetic switches, e.g. reed contacts, or respective electronic switches.
  • FIGS. 1 through 5 of the accompanying drawings are exemplary embodiments of circuit arrangements for the aforesaid starting and operating device, which all advantageously make use of a glow switch as the switching element in bridge circuit II and show the most suitable combination possible of current-disconnecting and/or current-limiting electrical components in bridge circuit I constituting the device according to the invention, e.g. the glow-switch switching element.
  • the discharge vessel 1 of a high pressure mercury discharge lamp with metal halide additive is equipped with main electrodes 2 and 3 and a probe-shaped starting electrode 4 arranged close to main electrode 3 within the discharge vessel 1.
  • This discharge vessel 1 is encompassed by a merely schematically illustrated outer envelope 5.
  • a glow switch 6 having the aforesaid characteristics is inserted as the switching element in the second bridge circuit, bridge circuit II, which provides conductive electrical connection between starting electrode 4 and the adjoining main electrode 3, the electric circuit extending externally of discharge vessel 1.
  • a choke 7 in the ignition circuit is preferably used as a series resistance and for the generation of impact-voltage peaks.
  • ballasting filament 8 As the series resistance.
  • the inductance of the power supply is utilized for the generation of impact-voltage pulses or, if the inductance of the power supply is insufficient, an additional inductance has to be incorporated in the ignition circuit.
  • FIG. 1 shows a circuit arrangement with only one ohmic resistance 9 included in the first bridge circuit, bridge circuit I.
  • the electric circuit connection between starting electrode 4 and remote main electrode 2 extends externally of the discharge vessel 1.
  • the ohmic resistance 9 cannot be disconnected during operation of the lamp and has a resistance value of at least 1000 ohms.
  • Resistance 9 determines the magnitude of current for preheating both the starting electrode 4 and the adjoining main electrode 3, as well as the impact-voltage level between said electrodes. The lower the resistance 9 is, the higher is the preheating current and the ignition voltage, but the greater, too, is the power loss during operation of the lamp when disconnection of the resistance is impossible as in the herein-before mentioned case.
  • FIG. 2 provides for instance in addition to an ohmic resistance 9 of from 100 to 1000 ohms, preferably 500 ohms, in bridge circuit I a bimetal switch 12 in series arrangement which is initially closed during ignition.
  • the bimetal switch 12 is designed such as to open at an ambient temperature exceeding 100° C, and to interrupt the bridge circuit I. This is achieved by positioning the bimetal switch 12 relative to the discharge vessel 1 such that after lamp ignition the heat reflected off the discharge vessel 1 effects opening of the bimetal contacts of switch 12.
  • the PTC-resistance 14 shall be rated for a resistance value of from 100 to 1000 ohms in a cold condition, at an ambient temperature of about 20° C, and at an ambient temperature exceeding 100° C, produced by the operating condition of the lamp, a resistance value of more than 10,000 ohms. Due to this resistance characteristic both the low-resistance values suitable for rapid ignition, and the high-ohmic characteristic of the starting resistance 14 necessary for low-loss operation of the lamp are given. An additional switch may therefore be omitted.
  • the circuit arrangement of FIG. 4 includes only one bimetal switch 12 in bridge circuit I. Because of this arrangement a higher current is caused to flow through starting probe 4, and preheating of the electrodes 3 and 4 may be substantially intensified. In order to avoid attack on the glow switch 6 by too high a current, an ohmic resistance 15 of about 500 ohms is series connected with glow switch 6 in the second bridge circuit, bridge circuit II. This leads however to a reduced impact voltage because the inductance of the choke cannot become fully effective.
  • the bimetal switch 12 must be rated, of course, for a relatively high current in the order of magnitude of 5 amperes because it has to suffer almost the short-circuiting current of choke 7. It is not possible to completely eliminate the resistance in bridge circuit I without incorporation of a switch, because otherwise only arcing would occur between starting electrode 4 and the main electrode 3, and initial starting of the main discharge path would not be effected.
  • a supply voltage exceeding 100 volts will be sufficient (the starting voltage of glow switch 6 is decisive), it is necessary to apply a supply voltage of at least 180 volts when employing a switching spark gap 16 according to FIG. 5; the starting voltage of switching spark gap 16 amounts to about 180 volts.
  • a supply voltage of, e.g. 200 volts a current flows after ignition of the switching spark gap 16 at first through the high-ohmic starting resistance 17. The resistance of the switching spark gap 16 is reduced so that sufficient voltage is applied to glow switch 6 for its ignition. After ignition of glow switch 6 the latter starts switching and produces the desired impact-voltage pulses between starting electrode 4 and adjoining main electrode 3.
  • a resistance 15 of about 800 ohms is series connected with glow switch 6 for protection of the latter. After ignition of the lamp, switching spark gap 16 is automatically switched off because the lower operating voltage of the lamp is not sufficient for starting the switching spark gap 16.
  • Glow switch 6 on the other hand is designed such as to remain closed in initially flashed condition of the lamp, so that both the starting electrode 4 and the main electrode 3 have the same potential. In order to protect the starting electrode 4, it is likewise possible to place a protective resistance 13 in front of the starting electrode 4.
  • the circuit arrangements may likewise be used with lamps which are provided with two starting electrodes (one starting electrode in each case near one main electrode). In this case provision has to be made for an analogous circuit arrangement for the second starting electrode.
  • the present starting and operating device is particularly suited for difficulty ignitable high pressure mercury vapor discharge lamps, especially with metal halide additive.
  • An additional conventional starting device (starter or electronic starting device with peak voltages of some kilovolts), as previously required in order to ignite the lamps, can be omitted because already relatively low ignition voltage peaks of some hundred volts bring about satisfactory ignition when using the aforesaid circuit arrangements.

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  • Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
US05/676,448 1975-04-22 1976-04-13 Starting and operating device for a high pressure discharge lamp Expired - Lifetime US4064416A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DT2517818 1975-04-22
DE19752517818 DE2517818A1 (de) 1975-04-22 1975-04-22 Zuend- und betriebseinrichtung fuer eine hochdruckentladungslampe

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4064416A true US4064416A (en) 1977-12-20

Family

ID=5944683

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US05/676,448 Expired - Lifetime US4064416A (en) 1975-04-22 1976-04-13 Starting and operating device for a high pressure discharge lamp

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4064416A (it)
DE (1) DE2517818A1 (it)
FR (1) FR2309111A1 (it)
GB (1) GB1539613A (it)
IT (1) IT1059485B (it)
SE (1) SE7602266L (it)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4204139A (en) * 1978-03-27 1980-05-20 Gte Sylvania Incorporated Integral fluorescent lamp-ballast unit
US4258289A (en) * 1979-05-09 1981-03-24 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Metal halide lamp for operation with a mercury ballast
US4277725A (en) * 1978-09-05 1981-07-07 U.S. Philips Corporation Gas and/or vapor discharge lamp
US4322658A (en) * 1980-03-19 1982-03-30 General Electric Company High intensity discharge lamp containing electronic starting aid
US4328446A (en) * 1980-04-11 1982-05-04 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Method and apparatus for starting high intensity discharge lamps
US4329621A (en) * 1980-12-15 1982-05-11 Gte Products Corporation Starter and discharge lamp starting circuit
US4350929A (en) * 1978-12-06 1982-09-21 Moriyama Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha Fluorescent lighting device
US4431945A (en) * 1981-03-16 1984-02-14 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha High pressure metal vapor discharge lamp
US4447759A (en) * 1980-12-16 1984-05-08 U.S. Philips Corporation Starter for igniting an electric discharge tube
US4567403A (en) * 1982-02-18 1986-01-28 Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd. High pressure discharge lamp with incorporated starter
US4692664A (en) * 1985-09-12 1987-09-08 Amada Engineering & Service Co., Inc. Gaseous discharge device
US5212469A (en) * 1990-05-29 1993-05-18 Gte Products Corporation Trailer lamp controller
US5237241A (en) * 1991-05-20 1993-08-17 Sony Corporation Cold-cathode fluorescent discharge tube

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3226597A (en) * 1963-09-04 1965-12-28 Gen Electric High pressure metal vapor discharge lamp
US3445721A (en) * 1966-07-01 1969-05-20 Sylvania Electric Prod Electric discharge lamp with the starting resistor impedance twice that of the lamp impedance
US3619710A (en) * 1969-10-29 1971-11-09 Sylvania Electric Prod High-pressure electric discharge lamp having electrolysis-preventing means

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1589286C3 (de) * 1967-04-20 1975-07-24 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh, 8000 Muenchen ZUnd- und Betriebseinrichtung für eine Hochdruck-Entladungslampe

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3226597A (en) * 1963-09-04 1965-12-28 Gen Electric High pressure metal vapor discharge lamp
US3445721A (en) * 1966-07-01 1969-05-20 Sylvania Electric Prod Electric discharge lamp with the starting resistor impedance twice that of the lamp impedance
US3619710A (en) * 1969-10-29 1971-11-09 Sylvania Electric Prod High-pressure electric discharge lamp having electrolysis-preventing means

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4204139A (en) * 1978-03-27 1980-05-20 Gte Sylvania Incorporated Integral fluorescent lamp-ballast unit
US4277725A (en) * 1978-09-05 1981-07-07 U.S. Philips Corporation Gas and/or vapor discharge lamp
US4350929A (en) * 1978-12-06 1982-09-21 Moriyama Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha Fluorescent lighting device
US4258289A (en) * 1979-05-09 1981-03-24 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Metal halide lamp for operation with a mercury ballast
US4322658A (en) * 1980-03-19 1982-03-30 General Electric Company High intensity discharge lamp containing electronic starting aid
US4328446A (en) * 1980-04-11 1982-05-04 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Method and apparatus for starting high intensity discharge lamps
US4329621A (en) * 1980-12-15 1982-05-11 Gte Products Corporation Starter and discharge lamp starting circuit
US4447759A (en) * 1980-12-16 1984-05-08 U.S. Philips Corporation Starter for igniting an electric discharge tube
US4431945A (en) * 1981-03-16 1984-02-14 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha High pressure metal vapor discharge lamp
US4567403A (en) * 1982-02-18 1986-01-28 Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd. High pressure discharge lamp with incorporated starter
US4692664A (en) * 1985-09-12 1987-09-08 Amada Engineering & Service Co., Inc. Gaseous discharge device
US5212469A (en) * 1990-05-29 1993-05-18 Gte Products Corporation Trailer lamp controller
US5237241A (en) * 1991-05-20 1993-08-17 Sony Corporation Cold-cathode fluorescent discharge tube

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE7602266L (sv) 1976-10-23
GB1539613A (en) 1979-01-31
FR2309111A1 (fr) 1976-11-19
IT1059485B (it) 1982-05-31
FR2309111B1 (it) 1980-09-05
DE2517818A1 (de) 1976-11-04

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